Sailfish in January may be a little early, but September for the Rio San Juan and tarpon again seems just about right; especially now that we know the catch and release rules. Do you have a little video camera>

If there is one thing we can count on in life it is CHANGE. It sounds as though the changes for you, John, are all going in a positive direction. Just think how wonderful it will be to smell all the yummy Thanksgiving foods, and how much more delicious those foods will taste! Life is good!

Or maybe the internist is thinking: (I thought I was only getting one patient). John, have you specifically been told not to try a pushup? or a pullup? Very glad your recovery appears to have been infection-free thus far, and you are up and about so much. There is a comedienne that reminds me of Judith, the attitude and the nails, can't recall her name, but judith, comedy clubs have amateur nights! What have you got to lose? Try your routine out opn John and see if he dies. That alone would lead to at least 141 punch lines I can think of off the top. Wintering in Chicago sounds like a great idea, by the way. Isolation is your friend. Are you implying they didn't teach secretarial skills at Wheeling? Sign this? yeah, right. John boy knows all.

I love your postings--short or long--but my only complaint is not enough pictures! :-)
I am amazed that John can walk for 30 minutes just two weeks after surgery--and out in the cold as well. I live in Florida, and when it goes below 65 I shiver and my incision hurts. You should see me in a winter parka and scarf walking the dogs when it's 55 degrees.
I look forward to your postings every day.
Terry Chase

HI JUDITH & JOHN,
YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR ACT ON THE ROAD! THANKS FOR THE DAILY CHUCKLE.....I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POSTS EACH DAY.
HOPEFULLY, YOU TWO LAUGH WITH EACH OTHER AS MUCH AS YOU ENTERTAIN ALL OF US; LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE AFTER ALL!
HOPING JOHN FEELS BETTER DAY BY DAY---
I HOPE TOO THAT JUDITH MADE OUT OK AT THE RETINA SPECIALIST.
BEST WISHES FOR GOOD DAYS AHEAD,
NANCY H.
P.S I'M NOT YELLING!!!!! HA, HA, HA,...:-)

Hi John
Don't be discouraged about the back pain. That was my issue for a few weeks after surgery. My incision (full sternotomy), was never the issue. Moist heat and some gentle stretching and massage helped and the pain become discomfort and gradually faded. It bothered me whenever i put pressure on it such as leaning back on it when I sat, etc. Keep healing and smiling.
Fran

Is John on Coumadin? I got anemic on it due to blood in the urine and had to stop it and go to an aspirin a day, but the blood didn't stop, so I had to go to a baby aspirin. Then it stopped. Now my hemoglobin is still low, and taking iron to get it up.
My doctor guessed that I was anemic when he did this test: he asked me to hold my hand out palm up. Then he put his hands on either side of mine. His were pink, mine was fish white. So then he ordered the blood tests and confirmed the anemia.
I will be at 8 weeks on Friday, and I still get occasional back pain that requires a touch (1/2 pill)of Vicodin (not the Oxycodone they give you in the hospital). It's not as bad, but it still visits me at least once a week.
Terry

Hi John and Judith -- Sound as though things are still going very well. Good that you will be seeing the new doc tomorrow. He can surely settle your concern about the lymph nodes. I don't recall seeing a report on the servant girl's retina progress. What's up on that situation, Judith? Your wonderful updates are very heartily received--thanks for sharing your ups and down and especially, all the love!

I miss you two soooooo much! I am so glad to see Judith still keeping the humor and John, you the calm. I never thought that it would not go well and you John, back up to moving about before the norm. Let me know when you decide to visit Casa Difazio (East Coast) so I can come see you and Judith and we can shed some tears over some wine and mac-n-cheese!
Lot of Love & Laughs
Ronita

Your love and devotion shines through your words. You know the adage of "one day at a time", that's what it's all about. We have no guarantees so we must take advantage of each moment (not always easy to do, I know). Take what enjoyment you can from this time together (enforced as it is). John's exercise walk alone is good for both of you. Quick question, why do you post 2-3 journals a day instead of one long one? Just curious.
Fran

What beautiful words!!! You are so blessed to be so in love and have so much to look forward to---what a lucky patient John is to have such a committed, caring special wife!
Best wishes for continued progress in your collective recovery from all of this. We need as many wonderful people as yourselves in this world as we can get!
I agree with Jack....Your Thanksgiving will nothing short of awesome!
Regards,
Nancy H.

Many thanks for these uplifting reports from Team DiFazio. John, you clearly have a lot to be grateful for in this Thanksgiving season, not least of which is your devoted, witty amanuensis. Warmly, Jack

Hey John, happy Saturday, Nov. 13!!! You've made it this far, now get that BP up! Are you allowed to jog in place yet, or do jumping jacks? If not, just try to pant.

When did it change to, and how long will it remain, "servant girl" instead of the more colorful and accurate "servant of that#%**# girl" that it used to be? And I know that trash bag could not have weighed more than, what, a pound, not counting the kleenex? I've got your back, dude. (Figure of speech)

John, John, take care of the internal stitches as well as the external ones and you will be back to lifting serious weights soon. In the meantime, leave trash removal to the servant girl - at least for the time being.

Glad to hear that life is slowly returning to more normalcy and that you are both feeling better every day

To both servant girl and patient:
Gosh. You've only been home a few days and went home sooner than most of us did. It's early days. Have faith. Right now it's probably advisable to take the pain pills on a schedule instead of waiting for the pain to catch up which is much harder to overcome.
Your story about moving the pain pills reminds me of when my husband had his hip replacement. Every night just before bed we'd both review: put the pain pills on the bedside table AND a bottle of water or coke to take them with. If you get up to go to the bathroom, check the time to see if it's time for another dose.
I wish I could say the back pain would go away soon, but it plagued me for at least 5 weeks and usually hit in late afternoon and, as you said, at night. The incision didn't hurt at all after about 4 days, but the back pain was horrendous. Even now, almost 7 weeks, it still hits occasionally. Last night I went to a meeting and left early because I could feel a pain developing between my shoulder blades and wanted to get home and take something for it. At this stage ibuprofen or tylenol usually work, but even now I occasionally have to take half a vicodin if it gets bad, especailly at bedtime. But if I sense it getting control, I don't wait to take the extra med. It comes less often, true, but don't be terribly discouraged if it fades slowly, and be prepared--don't deny it's there. It will go away eventually.
Best wishes to both of you. We all know that with your sense of humor in a few months you'll be laughing about this.
Terry Chase

Love your journal and also all the things that servant girl does for patient. Made my reservations yesterday. Found a flight for $280 Rd trip with Continental. Arrive at OHare on 12/15 at 8:20 pm. Will take Blue train line and then a cab to your house. Need the train stop that I get off and your address. Can't wait to see you all. Will be using Mom's grey jacket with hood. Fits me great.
Take care and so happy you are making progress every day.
Love, Diane

When I got a text from an unknown number telling me John was having open heart surgery, I thought it must be from my brother's wife. It was just Judith messaging about you. What a letdown. Anyways, I hope you are doing well today, John. You'll be all the way back soon, if you can just keep the servant girl doing her job without complaining. She always liked the Fr. maid outfit, try that. Remember, no push ups til Friday at least. Keep all leftover pain meds away from Judith, and you'd better count what's still in the bottle periodically. Hope to see you soon in the city that is currently home to the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION SAN RANCISCO GIANTS. Aloha (why do some people use all caps? Is what they say more important?)

maybe John will be ready for the NYC marathon next year the way he's going. Wanted to let you know that the broken tile in the kitchen (by a bottle of wine, held by the cardiac patient) is now history: floor replaced. will do bathroom next year and will need your input re: seat, grab bars (designer no less) and everything else. take pix.

John you remind me of a Grand Lady our Mother Angela. She loved to walk and she did every day. She even moved herself after her stroke in the wheel chair by moving one foot and moving herself down the hall way. Even ate with one hand when she could no longer use the other.You will recover and be even better. You come from good stock. Our Mother's own words. Abbracci Your Sister Doris

It has now been one week and all the news is GREAT! Congratulations to a dynamic duo, John and Judith! I am amazed at the progress reported. This will be a very special Thanksgiving this year!

Thought for the day: I had dinner last night with a cousin visiting from California who battled cancer and seems to have won. His first words to me were: "It's good to be alive." And my reply, "Amen to that!"

Hi John, Many days have gone by. Thank God for the great outcome....and for the servant girl. ( thank God for her) Love to you both and "keep on the mend".
Thinking and praying for you. love, Patti Chick

Glad to hear patient and servant girl got some needed rest last night. Don't kid yourself one trip with these thankless selfish passengers and you would remember why you retired.

When the husband is all better and your days as a servant girl have slowed down, you need to start your book and it should be called Servant Girl. You are to to funny and the world should get to share in the laughter. Keep the updates coming.
Love, Rich & Trish (your CLEVELAND friends)

What is it about men and not listening to advice given to them by the medical staff. Oh well things will improve it's just a matter of time. I have lived with three men husband, and two sons. Even the dog is a male so I know. They do love my cooking especially Italian. Abbracci your sister Doris

Judith, you crack me up. Miis aviation? Not in the day and age; we know better. Glad to hear that John is now listening to the medical staff (I mean the servant girl). Keep it up and you'll ear your RN degree.

John, Sunday and I hope you go home today. Lots of Football games to watch. My favorite time of year. Hope the Cowboys show up to play. The only way for them is up. St. Vincent De Paul has had your name in the prayers of the faithful over six months and will continue to keep it there.Abbracci Doris

Hello from Cleveland, the town with no good hotels? There is the Ritz, the Renaissance, The Inter Continental just to name a few. So happy to hear all is well and Jon is doing so well and you can start to exhale. I know one thing for sure if I ever need any major life saving surgery Judith you are in charge. All is well here and we actually have a Sunday home together, Rich just came in yesterday evening, but leaves for 5 days Tuesday. We will talk live in the next few days.

This is your sister Doris and I sent your picture too all of my St. Vincent De Paul friends who have been praying for you. They were so happy to hear that you are recovering well. Great picture and only two days after surgery you look great.

Way to go, you two! That's some week you've both had. Thanks for inviting the rest of us along on the journey. I think you may have a book or two in you, Judith--or Judith and John, since a jointly written story of recovery would be pretty special. John, now I'll switch to email to write to you. With warmest regards, Jack

Hospitals are only useful for active medical procedures. Sleep, rest, appealing nourishment and peace take place at home. I'm hoping you get there asap. The anesthesia really affects your system so give your body time to rid itself of that and try some chamomile tea until you can safely take a sleep aid.

Mark and I continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers and will look forward to reading more from you and Judith in this journal as the days go by.

John,
Best wishes to you and your family. Oh that first shower feels sooooo good! I have had trouble with sleeping also. Now that I am off the major pain meds I am able to take something to help sleep. I highly reccomend asking the docs for help. I do know that Percocet and sleep aid was a bad combo so it was a few weeks before sleep got easier. I am a Chicago native also (now in MA surgery MA general). The midwest air is good for healing! Maybe the Bears might do something this year, we wont talk about the Cubs.

Thank you for all of the updates letting all of us know your amazing progress. You must be the star patient and care giver combo! I am so happy to hear that all is going well and that John may soon be back in is own home to get the much needed rest.

These are heartening--no pun intended--postings, Judith and John. I appreciate the detail since one of these days/years I could go through the same thing. I had not realized that John would have to have his chest opened, figuring by now they had invented less intrusive ways to replace a valve. So all the more reason to admire his response to the procedure. Much love, Jack Noonan

Don't worry. The getting-up procedure only lasts for awhile. Does he have a heart pillow? It really helps. If not, any small pillow held against his chest will do. When he gets home within a few days he'll be able to get out of bed with less difficulty, and you can always help him by grabbing his shoulders and sitting him up so he doesn't strain. My husband did that for me for a few days but in no time I was able to get up myself.
Best of luck.
Terry

I love the updates, but am almost getting tired of all of the spinning around the room that John has to do. I know Judith is looking forward to your being able to spin out and get her morning coffee, like the old days.
Love, the Del Mar Gang

In respect for the cow, I'll skip the burger today. So glad to hear all seems to be doing better than expected. Love your sense of humor. Do you think we could do something with the old valve; get some ideas at Michael's or the store at the lake.

Glad you two still have a sense of humor. That neck thing--forgot what it's called. I think they take it out the day before he goes home.
Regarding sanitization: There were strict rules at Florida Hospital. No one was allowed into a patient's room without using the hand sanitizer, and there's a sink at the entrance of each room for washing hands. You're right, though. Hospitals are germy places and extreme caution is called for.
Heal well and go home soon.
Terry